Mr Carl Mincher - Weekly Update: 20/05/16

Dear Parents,

With our Year 13 IB Diploma students having finished their final exams this week there were celebrations in the air, we very much look forward to their graduation ceremony next weekend. As they look to the future with huge ambition and an aspiration to play their part as responsible global citizens we welcome our new students from Year 6 who will join us at AP2 in August. New minds, new perspectives and new ambitions add to the vibrance of the campus and so this is been a very exciting week indeed.

Nord Anglia Global Challenge: The Rube Goldberg Results are in...

It was always going to be tough competition against the 42 other schools in the Nord Anglia family. We made the decision to make our entry genuinely student led. Encouraging as wide a participation as possible our students from Year 1 to Year 13 from all three campuses collaborated on the project as one school - the results speak for themselves, Overall winners and winners of the Most Anbitious Award, huge congratulations to the many students and staff involved.

Although enthusiastic and competitive we couldn't have imagined that we would emerge so successfully. Read the judge’s comments and view the video of the Rube Goldberg Machine in action.

Year 6 Transition Day

We were very pleased to welcome the current Year 6 students to the Secondary Campus this week as they came to spend the day with us as part of their orientation for transitioning to Year 7. The AP2 teachers were really impressed with their approach to learning as the Year 6 students experienced classes in science, music and drama. In science, the students made Magnesium fizz and change temperature by adding hydrochloric acid; some groups even managed to produce a ‘squeaky pop! In music, the Year 6s made collaborative compositions to reflect animal characteristics and in their active drama workshops some key drama skills were learnt, including transforming from 8 x Year 6s into a car. It was also wonderful to see how our current Year 7s demonstrated leadership and support to the younger students and how much they have grown in independence in their first year on the secondary campus.

The student’s transition day was followed by an information meeting for Year 6 parents later in the afternoon. It was wonderful to welcome parents new and old to hear about life and learning as a new Year 7 student. The highlights of the event were presentations by current year 7 who shared their experiences from transition through to being happy, confident and successful in their new AP2 surroundings. We were also delighted to hear from the AP2 PTG who shared some of their exciting plans for the year ahead.

Environment Awareness Week

During form time sessions this week, the Year 7 students have been busy visiting all other form groups around school to share their passion to raise awareness about their chosen environmental issue. Read more about their challenge here.

Saigon International Schools Science Fair

We were delighted that students represented BIS at the Saigon International Schools SISSTEM Science Fair last weekend. Congratulations to Renee Streitberg from Year 7 who walked away with first prize in her year group and Maya Olcer from Year 9 who achieved second prize in her year group. Celebrations all around in the Science Department this week!

Saigon Junior Mathematics Competition

Some excellent results from the Junior Saigon Mathematics Competition which took place on Saturday 14th May. BIS took 9 students to the competition held at SSIS in District 7. Se Hwan Park, Seo Hyun Kim and Ashley Lee made up BIS 1, Nicholas Pham, Min Ho Kim and Rose Duong were BIS 2 and Eugene Chang, Joseph Kim and Billy Lim competed as BIS 3. The competition was very well attended with 9 schools each sending 3 teams and providing stiff competition. Despite this, BIS 2 managed to finish 2nd in the Puzzle Round and 3rd in the Relay Round, eventually finishing 4th overall. BIS 1 and 3 also did very well finishing 6th and 11th respectively. Special congratulations to Nicholas Pham of Year 8 who managed to come 2nd overall in the Individual Round.

ISHCMC Invitational Swimming Gala

A great celebration took place this week following our student’s participation and successes in the ISHCMC Invitation Swimming Gala where we emerged as holders of the Most Effective Team Award and Runner Up for the Overall Team Points. Congratulations go to all students involved! Read the full results here.

Comedy duo - The Kagools

The Drama department are very excited to welcome two very talented actors to school next week. Nicola Wilkinson and Claire Ford are also known as ‘The Kagools’ and they have just spent the last four months touring the comedy festivals of Australia with their show. Their show is a silent piece that utilises clowning, multi-media and audience interaction.

Year 10 and Year 12 Drama students are very much looking forward to developing their range of performance skills through physical drama workshops with the The Kagools during their visit to AP2.

Flea Market

If you are leaving at the end of the year, or just clearing out your house, now is your opportunity to sell your used items at the AP2 Flea Market to be held on Sunday 5 June from 9am to 12pm. Books, toys, small household goods, jewellery, clothing, shoes - bring it all! Tables cost VND150,000 and can be booked by e-mailing the PTG at bisptgap2@gmail.com.

BIS Aquathlon

There is still time for you to sign up for the Aquathlon, either as an individual or for a team event. Sign up closes on 27 May, please register via the e-mail link sent to your e-mail address on 8 May.

Job Opportunity

Aquatics Director

As you will have read above BIS continues to be highly successful in competitive swimming. We are therefore very excited to be extending the swim coaching team to build on this to even higher levels of performance.

We are now seeking to appoint an Aquatics Director, further details of the post and how to apply are available here.

Please encourage any suitably qualified and experienced professional swim coaches you may be aware of to apply.

Alternatively, further details on both of these positions are available from any of the school campus offices or by emailing recruitment@bisvietnam.com.

After School French Classes 2016-17

And finally...

The world renowned Desford Colliery Brass Band will be performing at AP2 on June 1st. The band will also be doing a public performance at the Conservatory of Music in District 1. Tickets are available for 200,000 VND from AP2 BIS Reception or ticketbox.vn.

Our busy week continues into a busy weekend as our Primary students take part in the FOBISIA Primary Games which are being hosted at both the Primary and Secondary Campus this weekend. Our best wishes and good luck go to all of our TX and AP1 competitiors.